- The Prime Minister offered help in the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations.
- Fico held talks with the US Secretary of State on energy and security.
Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) spoke about issues of cooperation in the field of nuclear energy at the Sunday meeting with US Minister of Foreign Affairs Marco Rubio and delegations of countries. about the situation with oil and gas supplies in Slovakia and possible alternatives, about the war in Ukraine or the situation in NATO. The Prime Minister confirmed his interest in cooperation with the USA in the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Slovakia, and also declared his interest in possible joint negotiations between the V4 countries and the USA in matters of energy cooperation.
He also discussed with Rubio the Slovak Republic’s intention to acquire four more F-16 fighter jets and offered the American side Slovakia’s help in the peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Fico considers it most important that the USA and the Slovak Republic respect each other, act as allies in the case of common interests, and negotiate and seek joint solutions in case of differing opinions. He informed about it at a joint press conference with Rubio after a joint meeting.
Fico appreciated that the meeting with Rubio took place shortly after he and US President Donald Trump held talks together in America. He declared that cooperation with the USA in the field of nuclear energy is important to Slovakia. “We are very interested in creating a multinational consortium under the banner of an American partner, which would guarantee that Slovakia could build another nuclear unit with an output of 1,200 megawatts by 2040. And we look forward to signing concrete agreements with Westinghouse in the course of next year,” declared the prime minister. He asked the American partners for cooperation in the preparatory stages of the project.
The Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic informed the head of American diplomacy about the situation with oil and gas supplies in Slovakia, which, according to him, is an unenviable situation. “We looked for different alternatives together, and I really believe that even tomorrow’s meeting with the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, can bring some progress regarding the crisis situation that is currently arising in the area of oil supplies to Europe,” he added. The prime minister perceives a possible stoppage of oil transit through Ukraine to the EU as political blackmail by Ukraine against Hungary.
They also talked with Rubio about the war in Ukraine, while Fico praised the American president’s efforts to end the conflict as quickly as possible. “If Slovakia can be helpful in any peace initiatives that will lead to the end of this war, then we are fully prepared,” he said. They also touched on the topic of NATO. According to Fico, the Slovak Republic understands the US position that the European Union must take more care of its security and, naturally, increase defense spending with it.
“We also talked about how to proceed with the budgets for the coming years. We have to take into account our possibilities and capabilities that we have, but also that Slovakia, if it wants to be a part of collective security in Europe and NATO, will also have to participate in the fact that we will gradually strengthen our capacities,” clarified the Prime Minister. At the same time, he confirmed that military cooperation with the USA will continue. According to Fico, Slovakia is interested in acquiring a total of 18 American-made F-16 fighters. According to him, in addition to the 14 already ordered, there are discussions about how to procure another four.
Fico also reminded that Slovakia will take over the presidency in the V4 format from July 1. He thinks that in addition to solving regional cooperation, we should consider gradually inviting foreign partners to current topics. He expressed interest in such negotiations with the USA. “If, after July 1, 2026, a topic arises where it will be useful to talk in the format of the V4 + the United States of America, and the partners in the V4 agree, of course, we will be ready to organize such meetings,” declared the Prime Minister.
